Reds midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been ruled out of England's friendly with Austria in Vienna on Friday. However, he could still play for his country against Croatia next week in the potentially crucial Euro 2008 qualifier at Wembley.
The 26-year-old midfielder has only just returned to action from a tendonitis problem in his knee, which required an injection.
Hargreaves played in the 2-0 win over Blackburn at the weekend, but is reported to still be suffering some discomfort.
England coach Steve McClaren has discussed the situation with Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson, and it was decided Hargreaves should stay in Manchester for treatment, although it would appear this more a precautionary measure than another flare-up of the problem.
Hargreaves is still seen as a crucial figure for England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday, which suggests that the injury is not serious.
"Owen Hargreaves is recovering from a long-term injury," said an FA spokesman. "Having discussed it with Manchester United, it was felt he should remain in Manchester for treatment until the weekend, with the emphasis on his fitness for the Croatia qualifier."
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Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Pique's pledge
Some of Spain's top clubs came knocking in the summer, but Gerard Pique is glad Sir Alex never opened the door.
Pique, a Spain U21 international and a product of Barcelona's famed youth system, joined United in 2004 but featured only fleetingly until this season. In fact, opportunities were so limited in 2006/07 Sir Alex sent the defender back to Spain for a season-long loan spell at Real Zaragoza.
His performances in La Liga were outstanding and it's hardly surprising Zaragoza were keen to make the move permanent. Earlier this month, it transpired Atletico Madrid had also attempted to prise the 20-year-old from Old Trafford.
Leaving United, however, just doesn't fit into Pique's plans.
"Zaragosa tried to sign me in the summer but I knew what the answer would be," Pique told The Times' The Game podcast.
"Since the first day I arrived at Old Trafford, Sir Alex has showed me he has a lot of confidence in me and I'm trying to do my best to show him I can be part of this team. I can be a Manchester United player.
"He talks to you a lot – not only about football, but about everything in life. Elsewhere, there are other leaders. Rio Ferdinand talks a lot to you on the pitch and helps you out. Ryan Giggs is quiet but in the dressing room the power and the experience he has really comes out. It's important for players like me to be around someone like Ryan because the confidence he has in himself can pass on to you and it helps your game."
Pique's confidence will have sky-rocketed when he was handed his first Champions League start against Dynamo Kyiv… and then opened the scoring. It was his first goal in a Reds shirt, although he admits he was more than a little surprised to find the net.
"It was a big problem," he joked. "I didn't know how to celebrate the goal!"
In the end, Pique opted for a single fist-pump. Like his approach to defending, it was instinctive yet understated, and something United fans would love to see more of in coming seasons. Read more...
Pique, a Spain U21 international and a product of Barcelona's famed youth system, joined United in 2004 but featured only fleetingly until this season. In fact, opportunities were so limited in 2006/07 Sir Alex sent the defender back to Spain for a season-long loan spell at Real Zaragoza.
His performances in La Liga were outstanding and it's hardly surprising Zaragoza were keen to make the move permanent. Earlier this month, it transpired Atletico Madrid had also attempted to prise the 20-year-old from Old Trafford.
Leaving United, however, just doesn't fit into Pique's plans.
"Zaragosa tried to sign me in the summer but I knew what the answer would be," Pique told The Times' The Game podcast.
"Since the first day I arrived at Old Trafford, Sir Alex has showed me he has a lot of confidence in me and I'm trying to do my best to show him I can be part of this team. I can be a Manchester United player.
"He talks to you a lot – not only about football, but about everything in life. Elsewhere, there are other leaders. Rio Ferdinand talks a lot to you on the pitch and helps you out. Ryan Giggs is quiet but in the dressing room the power and the experience he has really comes out. It's important for players like me to be around someone like Ryan because the confidence he has in himself can pass on to you and it helps your game."
Pique's confidence will have sky-rocketed when he was handed his first Champions League start against Dynamo Kyiv… and then opened the scoring. It was his first goal in a Reds shirt, although he admits he was more than a little surprised to find the net.
"It was a big problem," he joked. "I didn't know how to celebrate the goal!"
In the end, Pique opted for a single fist-pump. Like his approach to defending, it was instinctive yet understated, and something United fans would love to see more of in coming seasons. Read more...
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Region honours Reds
United capped another successful year on Monday night by topping five categories at the North West Football Awards, including Club of the Year.
Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson received individual awards at The Midland Hotel in Manchester - the former was honoured for his Lifetime Contributions to football in the region, while the latter was voted Manager of the Year by the North West public after guiding United to title glory.
"I thought I was presenting the award to someone else, that was the idea when I came," Sir Bobby told MUTV.
"I've enjoyed my football life here, it's been great. The North West is a hotbed of football. This award means a lot."
Speaking before the event, Sir Alex told MUTV: "It's a special night, the first of its kind. There's plenty to celebrate, as over the years, North West clubs have been very successful."
The awards honoured excellence on and off the field. United's staff scooped the Best Club Sponsorship prize - in recognition of the partnership with AIG - and Best Commercial Team.
Foster's road to recovery
Ben Foster was forced out of action at the end of the 2006/07 season and subsequently went under the knife to repair a damaged cruciate ligament in his right knee. Here he tells of his long road to recovery and his hopes for the rest of the season.
I've been injured since May and when you can't do what you're paid to do it's massively frustrating.
I had a lot of expectations surrounding this season and what it might hold for me but I have to put those aside for now. When you're told you're going to be out for eight months and no sooner you just have to knuckle down and get on with it.
I've been spending a lot of time in the gym, working on all the static cardio-vascular machines. I've been on the exercise bike, the cross-trainer, the treadmill… all the machines that aren't going to put too much pressure on my knee but will help me to keep my stamina up. There have also been lots of leg weights and upper body weights.
After all that, my knee is getting stronger. I've recently stepped up my training and I've had no pain in it whatsoever. The next step will be doing some more goalkeeping work. Earlier this month, I started doing a few things – just having someone hit volleys into my hands. But I'll start doing some proper sessions soon with the goalkeeper coach and that will push the knee a bit further. The aim at the moment is to be doing full training and getting involved with the lads sometime after Christmas – probably early February.
I can't wait until I'm playing again. I guess that might be around March next year. It's something to look forward to and something to aim for. Whether it's at United in the Reserves or somewhere else on loan, I'm not bothered – I'll take anything!
Speaking of loans, I spent two seasons at Watford and they were good years. We got promoted and then relegated but it was a massive test for me and I gained some invaluable experience. At Watford, I tended to have quite a lot of work to do, which was good, but we didn't pass it out from the back a lot, which is what United are all about. So while I'm out I've been watching Edwin van der Sar closely. That way, when my turn comes around I know what's expected of me.
I come to all our games at Old Trafford and I watch the away games on television. To be honest, it's incredibly frustrating and I'm not a good spectator because I would much rather be out there. But these things can't be helped and I'm determined to remain positive. Read more...
I've been injured since May and when you can't do what you're paid to do it's massively frustrating.
I had a lot of expectations surrounding this season and what it might hold for me but I have to put those aside for now. When you're told you're going to be out for eight months and no sooner you just have to knuckle down and get on with it.
I've been spending a lot of time in the gym, working on all the static cardio-vascular machines. I've been on the exercise bike, the cross-trainer, the treadmill… all the machines that aren't going to put too much pressure on my knee but will help me to keep my stamina up. There have also been lots of leg weights and upper body weights.
After all that, my knee is getting stronger. I've recently stepped up my training and I've had no pain in it whatsoever. The next step will be doing some more goalkeeping work. Earlier this month, I started doing a few things – just having someone hit volleys into my hands. But I'll start doing some proper sessions soon with the goalkeeper coach and that will push the knee a bit further. The aim at the moment is to be doing full training and getting involved with the lads sometime after Christmas – probably early February.
I can't wait until I'm playing again. I guess that might be around March next year. It's something to look forward to and something to aim for. Whether it's at United in the Reserves or somewhere else on loan, I'm not bothered – I'll take anything!
Speaking of loans, I spent two seasons at Watford and they were good years. We got promoted and then relegated but it was a massive test for me and I gained some invaluable experience. At Watford, I tended to have quite a lot of work to do, which was good, but we didn't pass it out from the back a lot, which is what United are all about. So while I'm out I've been watching Edwin van der Sar closely. That way, when my turn comes around I know what's expected of me.
I come to all our games at Old Trafford and I watch the away games on television. To be honest, it's incredibly frustrating and I'm not a good spectator because I would much rather be out there. But these things can't be helped and I'm determined to remain positive. Read more...
United licensed to thrill
The secret to United’s exquisite attacking play is a freedom for players to express their ability, which all stems from Sir Alex Ferguson’s attacking football philosophy.
The Reds boss claimed on Sunday that this is the strongest squad he has ever had, and United’s recent performances merely endorse his assertions.
While some teams have achieved success on the back of regimented tactical organisation, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and co. are given free licence.
“The manager really wants everyone to be care-free in the sense of expressing themselves on the pitch, and at the moment we are doing it to great effect,” Darren Fletcher told ManUtd.com.
“We’ve had some great attacks during the time I’ve been around the first team, but what defines this team’s attack is the youthfulness of it. It’s a long time since we’ve had such a young group of forwards and wingers.”
Ronaldo got the goals to give United a 2-0 victory over Blackburn. But it’s by no means been a one-man show; the Reds have had ten different goalscorers already this season. “Like last year, the goals aren’t just coming from one area, everyone is chipping in,” adds Fletcher. “You need that, you have to be a threat from all over the pitch otherwise you’ll become predictable, and that’s an accusation you certainly can’t throw at this team.
“We didn’t score that many goals at the start of the season, but we all knew it would come, and it has. Opposition teams can’t look at us and say, ‘mark that player and we’ll stop United’. We attack from every direction, up front, from either wing, or from deep in midfield. Each game, somebody new steps up and puts in the star performance.” Read more...
The Reds boss claimed on Sunday that this is the strongest squad he has ever had, and United’s recent performances merely endorse his assertions.
While some teams have achieved success on the back of regimented tactical organisation, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and co. are given free licence.
“The manager really wants everyone to be care-free in the sense of expressing themselves on the pitch, and at the moment we are doing it to great effect,” Darren Fletcher told ManUtd.com.
“We’ve had some great attacks during the time I’ve been around the first team, but what defines this team’s attack is the youthfulness of it. It’s a long time since we’ve had such a young group of forwards and wingers.”
Ronaldo got the goals to give United a 2-0 victory over Blackburn. But it’s by no means been a one-man show; the Reds have had ten different goalscorers already this season. “Like last year, the goals aren’t just coming from one area, everyone is chipping in,” adds Fletcher. “You need that, you have to be a threat from all over the pitch otherwise you’ll become predictable, and that’s an accusation you certainly can’t throw at this team.
“We didn’t score that many goals at the start of the season, but we all knew it would come, and it has. Opposition teams can’t look at us and say, ‘mark that player and we’ll stop United’. We attack from every direction, up front, from either wing, or from deep in midfield. Each game, somebody new steps up and puts in the star performance.” Read more...
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